Did you know that more than 1,600 county employees make more than $100,000 per year? Did you know that 27% of all county employees reside in just two county commissioner districts--those of Todd Stroger and John Daley?
Todd Stroger: $170,000
Donna Dunnings: $156,000
John Daley: $111,000
Source: CookEmployees.com. This website has a list of all Cook County employees and their salaries.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Your Stroger-Daley Tax
The opinions page in today Trib asks some worthwhile questions which you should ask your elected officials.
1) In 2006, did you endorse Todd Stroger or any of his 10 County Board taxers: William Beavers, Jerry "Iceman" Butler, Earlean Collins, John Daley, Roberto Maldonado, Joseph Mario Moreno, Joan Patricia Murphy, Deborah Sims, Robert Steele or Larry Suffredin?
2) In light of this tax hike and this economy, do you see the enormity of your mistake?
3) How do you plan to undo your damage by helping us replace these county officials and reduce taxation in Cook County?
Read the rest of the editorial here.
BTW, the tax increase goes into effect tomorrow. Last day to buy something in Crook County.
1) In 2006, did you endorse Todd Stroger or any of his 10 County Board taxers: William Beavers, Jerry "Iceman" Butler, Earlean Collins, John Daley, Roberto Maldonado, Joseph Mario Moreno, Joan Patricia Murphy, Deborah Sims, Robert Steele or Larry Suffredin?
2) In light of this tax hike and this economy, do you see the enormity of your mistake?
3) How do you plan to undo your damage by helping us replace these county officials and reduce taxation in Cook County?
Read the rest of the editorial here.
BTW, the tax increase goes into effect tomorrow. Last day to buy something in Crook County.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
7 days and counting
On July 1st, 2008 - exactly 7 days from today - Chicago will have the distinction of being the city with the highest sales tax in the nation!
On April 1st, 2008 (yes on April fools), the RTA sales tax hike went into effect. This was the hike presented to the citizens of Illinois by our Governor. In Cook County, the RTA sales tax rate on general merchandise increased from 0.75 percent to 1 percent. In neighboring DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties, the RTA sales tax rate has tripled from 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent.
Officials estimate the RTA sales tax increase, to fund the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail system, and Pace suburban bus service, will cost consumers $530 million a year.
On July 1 the Cook County sales tax jumps from 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent. County officials estimate the tax increase will cost consumers another $426 million a year.
Combining all the sales taxes (RTA, Cook County, state, and city) will give Chicago a general sales tax rate of 10.25 percent on July 1, highest in the nation. For downtown Chicago restaurants subject to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority sales tax, the total sales tax effective on July 1 will be 11.50 percent.
Come July 1, be prepared to fork over to our elected leaders, $10.25 of every $100 you spend in the City of Chicago. If you decide to frequent a dining establishment, make that $11.50 of every $100.
Source: The Heartland Institute.
On April 1st, 2008 (yes on April fools), the RTA sales tax hike went into effect. This was the hike presented to the citizens of Illinois by our Governor. In Cook County, the RTA sales tax rate on general merchandise increased from 0.75 percent to 1 percent. In neighboring DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties, the RTA sales tax rate has tripled from 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent.
Officials estimate the RTA sales tax increase, to fund the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail system, and Pace suburban bus service, will cost consumers $530 million a year.
On July 1 the Cook County sales tax jumps from 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent. County officials estimate the tax increase will cost consumers another $426 million a year.
Combining all the sales taxes (RTA, Cook County, state, and city) will give Chicago a general sales tax rate of 10.25 percent on July 1, highest in the nation. For downtown Chicago restaurants subject to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority sales tax, the total sales tax effective on July 1 will be 11.50 percent.
Come July 1, be prepared to fork over to our elected leaders, $10.25 of every $100 you spend in the City of Chicago. If you decide to frequent a dining establishment, make that $11.50 of every $100.
Source: The Heartland Institute.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Stroger Does Palatine
I for one did not think he would show. Woody Allen once said that 80% of success is showing up, and show up did he - with posse and all. He was put in front of a crowd that was no fan of his or his policies. Yet he stood there and heard what was being said. The question is was he listening and if he will do something about it. That, my friends, is the question.
Here is the link to the Chicago Tribune article.
Here is the link to the Chicago Tribune article.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Gasoline Tax
Here is an interesting tid-bit of information (not exactly related to Cook County, but gives you insight into how some of these crooked politicians think).
Dick Durbin complained to oil executives that Chicago has the highest gasoline prices in the nation. He then chided these oil executives telling them that they are hurting the people of Chicago.
Now Dick, I am sure you are a moderately intelligent man so I will explain this to you in simple terms. See that $4.00 per gallon sign. About $0.80 of that is taxes that you and your cohorts in Congress and the City of Chicago have tacked on to hurt the people of Chicago. New York City, for comparison hits its consumers with $0.65 in taxes per gallon and people there make New York wages.
To makes matter worse, Illinois is expected to collect over $220 million in taxes over and above what was budgeted during the beginning of the Fiscal year. Crook County collects $0.125 per gallon and Toddler only knows what that amounts to. My guess is that people avoid paying this by crossing over to Northwest Indiana and saving $0.20 per gallon.
So Dick, next time you try and help the people of Illinois, start by fixing the problem you and your buddies in DC and in Springfield and in City Hall have created. Get rid of the tax if you really want to help.
Dick Durbin complained to oil executives that Chicago has the highest gasoline prices in the nation. He then chided these oil executives telling them that they are hurting the people of Chicago.
Now Dick, I am sure you are a moderately intelligent man so I will explain this to you in simple terms. See that $4.00 per gallon sign. About $0.80 of that is taxes that you and your cohorts in Congress and the City of Chicago have tacked on to hurt the people of Chicago. New York City, for comparison hits its consumers with $0.65 in taxes per gallon and people there make New York wages.
To makes matter worse, Illinois is expected to collect over $220 million in taxes over and above what was budgeted during the beginning of the Fiscal year. Crook County collects $0.125 per gallon and Toddler only knows what that amounts to. My guess is that people avoid paying this by crossing over to Northwest Indiana and saving $0.20 per gallon.
So Dick, next time you try and help the people of Illinois, start by fixing the problem you and your buddies in DC and in Springfield and in City Hall have created. Get rid of the tax if you really want to help.
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